How Dating Can Aid In Learning Chinese
Updated 2024Having a Chinese partner can be an exciting and effective way to learn the language. The desire to communicate with someone you care about makes you more motivated to practice and learn. So if you are living in Shanghai it can be benificial to date a local.
This opportunity for constant interaction in Chinese can help increase your daily study time and builds a natural feel for the language. With the rise of the Chinese dating apps, you can now easily “mingle” and try to find the one .
In a society where work often takes precedence, finding time to meet new people can be challenging. However, Chinese dating apps have made it easier for busy individuals to connect and find companionship.
See our Top 3 Chinese Dating Apps!
1. Tantan 探探 (tàntàn)
“King of Chinese Dating Apps”
#1 MOST POPULAR CHINESE DATING APP
Of all the Chinese Dating Apps, the most popular one is Tantan. It’s often compared to Tinder for the way it works. It even looks like Tinder. Users can manually fill in their profile description and interests as there is no automated collection of user data the way Facebook works. Once signed up, you can start using the app. You will then be presented with a person’s photo and profile and swipe left or right to select this person or to “eliminate” him/her. You can start a conversation with that person if both of you select each other.
There are many young and urban people using Tantan, which has a pretty large user base and is easy to use. However, there are only few real conversations and meetings compared to the number of matches. In the end, it’s all up to you and your match whether to take this virtual date to reality.
ADVANTAGES
A Big Pool
A bigger pool means there are more fishes to catch. You will have more chances to meet “the one”.
Easy to Use
As easy as Tinder, you can simply swipe left or right.
ADVANTAGES
A Big Pool
A bigger pool means there are more fishes to catch. You will have more chances to meet “the one”.
Easy to Use
As easy as Tinder, you can simply swipe left or right.
2. Momo 陌陌 (mòmò)
#2 MOST POPULAR CHINESE DATING APP
Momo was the very first dating app that covers the whole Middle Kingdom. It was widely seen as the best app for ‘booty-calling’ for a while. In order to get rid of this bad reputation, Momo changed itself from a dating-focused app to an interest-based social networking one. Being the first and biggest dating app, people still think of this particular app when it comes to discovering new people.
However, the app is not an easy one to use due to its numerous add-on features which could be confusing. You can locate new friends in your area (within a certain radius), play mini-games or join user-generated groups. Momo has an increasingly high number of foreign users, which means you can use this app in many different countries across the world.
ADVANTAGES
International
Many foreigners use this app in and out of China, which means you can meet a variety of people.
Interest-based
It’s not just a booty-call app…anymore. You can use this to find someone who has the same interests as you.
ADVANTAGES
International
Many foreigners use this app in and out of China, which means you can meet a variety of people.
Interest-Based
It’s not just a booty-call app any more. You can use it to find someone who has the same interests as you.
3. Let’s have dinner 请吃饭 (Qǐng chīfàn)
#3 MOST POPULAR CHINESE DATING APP
On this app, men usually have to propose a dinner date and wait for women to sign up for the dinner. They can then select which woman to take to the dinner. However, it’s becoming increasingly popular for women to offer a dinner date too. It’s a great way to build new relationships as you can impress your date with your selection of dinner venue and get to know each other while enjoying a nice meal.
ADVANTAGES
A Proper Date
Just like the old days, a date that starts with a dinner to get to know your potential partner.
Equality
Women can offer to take men out to dinner too. It works both ways!
ADVANTAGES
A Proper Date
Just like the old days, a date that starts with a dinner to get to know your potential partner.
Equality
Women can offer to take men out to dinner too. It works both ways
4. Other Dating Apps
OTHER POPULAR CHINESE DATING APPS
Heartbeat 心动 (xīndòng)
Motto is one of the more unique Chinese dating apps. Heartbeat is an app made for college students. All users have to submit institutional credentials to be able to use the app. This very strict filtering system shows Xindong’s determination to include the very best of young and educated people.
Xindong is not an industrial dating app. As they give you two matches a day, it keeps a slow pace which can be good or bad, depending on what you’re looking for.
Palpitation 心跳 (xīntiào)
In the same way that Tantan works, Xintiao enables you to meet up with people. Users will also need to manually enter their profiles and interests. However, its main difference from Tantan is that it has an original user interface design instead of literally copying Tinder’s design, and this app doesn’t have as many features as Tantan such as distance- or age-based filters. There are also fewers interest options and less users on this app.
Cultural Differences To Be Aware Of When Dating A Chinese Person (regardless of which app you use!)
People around the world are using social media and dating apps to meet new people and make new friends, and maybe more. If you have an upcoming date with a Chinese person, then we have some things that could help you make the date run smoothly.
Even the Young Chinese Respect Tradition and Appreciate Manners
In China, manners and respect are incredibly important in most business and personal relationships, especially in the beginning.
The closer two Chinese people become, the more gradually informal their relationship becomes. This is true in business, friendships, and dating. When meeting and dating a Chinese person for the first time, always act with good manners and show respect both to them and to other people you meet and interact with.
Family is Important in China
On the first date with a Chinese person, expect to be asked a lot of questions about your family. You should ask your date a lot of questions about theirs, too.
The family unit is an important part of Chinese culture, and families often live very close to one another, often with extended families living in the same home or building. Make sure you take an interest in your date’s family and ask what they do. Remember names and occupations and congratulate your date on their family’s successes.
Understanding and speaking the language will make these conversations more meaningful and heartfelt, allowing you to connect on a deeper level and broaden your comprehension of the Chinese language and cultural nuances.
The Chinese Approach to Dating Apps is Still Evolving
Dating apps are still in their infancy in mainland China and are only just starting to see growth in their user bases. Dating apps were frowned upon initially and met with some friction.
You may find Chinese daters in Western apps such as these, used by people who are visiting the West or have moved there recently. In Chinese app dating, it is common to Photoshop images or resize pictures, so bear this in mind when checking profiles.
In Chinese Relationships Everyone Should ‘Save Face’
Chinese social conflict resolution is all about both parties ‘saving face’, and not looking like they lost out.
Shame and fame are important social commodities in Chinese culture, and if you are going to make compromises with a Chinese date, you need to make ones that don’t damage anyone’s pride or reputation. If you give in to your date’s demands, they may see you as weak and lose interest. If you are too demanding and headstrong yourself, you may damage their pride and they will avoid you in the future.
Chinese Culture is Built on Stories – Your Relationship Will Be Too
It is not uncommon in China for two people to be carrying matching or complementary items when they first meet for a date, such as a flower or fruit, or wear an item of clothing like a hat.
This is to create a beginning for your story as a couple, should the relationship be successful. This is a story for the family to tell their friends and neighbors when your relationship blossoms, and hopefully be the start of a wonderful romance. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to bring something to a date, and make sure you do. Otherwise, you could be written off by your date at the start.
Dating can cause a lot of anxiety and stress before the first meeting, speaking the language, you can ease some of this anxiety. Knowledge is power, and smart is sexy.
Modern Dating in China
Chinese dating in modern times took quite a bit of a leap compared to the traditions of ancient China.
But some of those traditions still exist and practiced to this day. Though the country is fairly new to this, considering its culture and traditions lasted for thousands of years. With the development of technology, people now have more options when it comes to dating to the point where people from different countries are able to meet through dating apps.
Dating Apps
Dating apps played a huge role in modernizing the country’s dating scene.
But your usual go-to dating apps might not work if you’re trying to score a date in China. If and when you’re interested to meet single people through the best dating apps in China, remember that there are still bad elements online. It’s essential to be safe and be aware of scammers. Your safety should be your first priority when dating online.
Dating Phrases
Since you’ve reached this part of the article, you’re now probably interested in dating someone in China. But how will you do it is you don’t know a single Chinese phrase? Continue reading to learn some basic phrases to open up a conversation.
Making conversations is absolutely necessary when you’re dating. But when your Chinese speaking skills are limited, making these conversations happen especially with your best buddies or a potential date can be extra challenging.
Here are some of the most basic phrases to get you started:
- Do you believe in love at first sight? Or should I walk past you again?
- 你相信一见钟情吗? 或者我该再次从你身边走过?
- Nǐ xiāngxìn yījiànzhōngqíng ma? Huòzhě wǒ gāi zàicì cóng nǐ shēnbiān zǒuguò?
Nothing beats a good pick up line. Not only that it’s funny, it also makes a good first impression (well for some, at least).
Pick up lines might be on the cheesy side, but they’re a good conversation starter:
- I like you a lot.
- 我很喜欢你
- Wǒ hěn xǐhuān nǐ.
No point in waiting any longer. Use one of the most basic yet powerful phrases to land a date. It’s direct and straight to the point. Which might even leave some people speechless.
- Would you like to go out with me?
- 你愿意和我约会吗？
- Nǐ yuànyì hé wǒ yuēhuì ma?
Again, this would be a handy phrase when you ask someone for a date. Chinese nationals are known to be blunt people. So if you like them, just ask them directly. They would even appreciate it.
- I had a great time tonight.
- 我今天晚上过得很开心
- Wǒ jīn tiān wǎn shang guò de hěn kāi xīn.
Being complimented on is probably one of the best things in the world. If you had fun on your date, make sure you tell them. Your date would definitely appreciate it if you enjoyed their company. Which can probably give you a higher chance of getting another date.
- I want to be with you.
- 我想跟你在一起.
- Wǒ xiǎng hē nǐ zài yìqi.
This is pretty self-explanatory. If the dates went well and the feelings are mutual. Then go for it!
This article just covered the tip of the iceberg at how dating is done in Ancient and modern China. Learning some basic Chinese phrases could help you score a date too. There is still a lot be learned. Dating is fun and exciting, just be yourself and have fun. Though you might hit or miss sometimes, that’s just a part of life.
So in short…
There you have it! These are the essential Chinese dating apps used in mainland China today. If you have a busy work schedule and not much time for meeting new people, you should try some of these Chinese Dating Apps and see how they work!
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